The Chair welcomed Members of the Planning Committee, Officers, members of the public and those watching the webcast to the meeting.

Apologies were received from:

Councillor S Foulkes, with Councillor L Luxon-Kewley deputising.

Councillor J Walsh-McDonald, with Councillor R Molyneux deputising.

Members are asked whether they have any personal or prejudicial interests in connection with any application on the agenda and, if so, to declare them and state the nature of the interest.

Members were asked to consider whether they have any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or any other relevant interest in connection with any item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state the nature of the interest.

There were no declarations of interests

To approve the accuracy of the minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2025.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2025 be approved as a correct record.

The Chair suggested changing order of agenda to hear item 6 (changes to the scheme of delegation to officers for the determination of planning related matters) before item 5 (APP/23/00233 - 22 Farr Hall Drive, Heswall, Wirral, CH60 4SH). This was agreed by assent. The minutes remain in the order of the agenda.

The Development Management Manager presented the report in relation to the above application, in regard to the demolition of the existing dwelling and replacement with 6 apartments together with associated bin store, access, landscaping, parking and all other associated works.

A brief update on the Local Plan was given, as the final report from the Planning Inspectorate had been received. It confirmed that the Local Plan was sound subject to main modifications so the Council would move to adopt it and therefore greater weight could be attached to it for determining Planning Applications. The report had been reviewed in light of the Local Plan report and the recommendation remained the same.

The Lead Petitioner addressed the Committee.

A Ward Councillor, Councillor Andrew Hodson, addressed the Committee.

The Applicant’s Agents addressed the Committee.

Members debated the application.

Councillor K Hodson moved a motion that:

‘the proximity of apartments 1,3 and 5 of the development to trees T10 and T11 protected by a Tree Preservation Order and the proximity of the car parking area to T7 is likely to result in pressure from future occupiers for the removal or significant pruning of these trees to secure a reasonable natural light to rooms and gardens in respect of apartments 1,3 and 5 and to remove perceived dangers to life or property to the detriment to the health and amenity value of the trees and the wider character of the area. As such the application is contrary to save policies GRE1 and GR7 of the Wirral Unitary Development Plan. The proximity of apartments 1,3 and 5 to trees protected by a Tree Preservation Order would be likely to result in a poor standard of internal and external amenity due to a sense of enclosure and shading caused by the proximity and scale of the trees and the extent of their canopies. As such the application is contrary to save policy HS4 of the Wirral Unitary Development Plan and paragraph 130 and 131 of the National Planning Policy Framework which seeks to ensure developments create a high standard of amenity for existing future users of the land and buildings.’

This was seconded by Councillor M Jordan.

This motion was lost (2 votes for, 9 against).

On a motion proposed by the Chair, Councillor S Kelly, and seconded by Councillor B Kenny, it was:

Resolved (9 votes for, 2 against) -

That planning permission be granted, subject to the following conditions:

1. The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of 3 years from the date of this permission.

2. The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the approved plans received by the local planning authority on 16th February 2023; 22nd May 2023; 25th July 2023, 29th September 2023; April 2024; 4th June 2024 and 11th November 2024 and listed as follows:

Site Location Plan (Ref:2209-000 Rev B); Proposed Site Plan (Ref: 2209-001 Rev H); Block Plan (Ref: 2209-002 Rev A); Ground Floor Plan (Ref: 2209-100 Rev G); First  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

This item was heard before item 56 (APP/23/00233 - 22 Farr Hall Drive, Heswall, Wirral, CH60 4SH).

Councillor A Gardner arrived part way through this item and took no part in the debate or vote.

The Senior Planning Lawyer introduced a report which provided for a revised scheme of delegation relating to the determination of Lawful Development Certificates. The proposed revisions followed comments from Committee members in previous meetings when dealing with applications submitted under s192 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) that this type of application would be more appropriately dealt with under delegated powers, as it was not possible to exercise planning judgement in determination of them.

The Director of Law and Corporate Services as Monitoring Officer had power to make minor and consequential changes, such as factual references, changes in the law, changes in process and protocols of Committee and revised arrangements for the distribution of responsibilities and the delegation of powers to officers. This Committee’s views were sought on such changes so as to inform the exercise of this power by the Director of Law and Corporate Services.

On a motion proposed by the Chair and seconded by Councillor Sue Powell-Wilde it was:

Resolved (unanimously)– That the proposed amended Scheme of Delegation for Determination of Planning Applications and Planning Related Matters as referred to at Appendix 1 of the report be endorsed.